UP: Hospitals Face Shortage of Beds After Spike in Dengue Cases

Lucknow: There is a sudden spike in dengue cases across Uttar Pradesh, and experts said the number might swell in the days to come due to an increase in the number of spots that favour mosquito breeding. The state has reported more than 18,000 dengue cases and two deaths between January and September this year, compared to 11,097 cases and three deaths during the same period in 2021.

In the last 24 hours, 14,256 tests have been conducted, out of which 6,345 cases were logged as dengue. This year from January 1, 18,000 cases of dengue have been registered with two deaths as per the health department records.

The most affected districts are Prayagraj, with 911 cases, Lucknow, with 749; and Jaunpur and Ayodhya, with 366 and 325 cases, respectively.

Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak said that the dengue situation was under control, and there were fewer cases this year.

"Hospitals have been told to make alternative preparations by arranging beds, making sure no patient walks back untreated," Brajesh Pathak said, adding that all community and public health centres in the state have also been directed to make adequate arrangements for treatment for dengue patients.

This Monday, Lucknow recorded 23 fresh cases, bringing the total yearly infections of the vector-borne disease to 911 and one death. On Monday, a 48-year-old sports teacher from Lucknow's Sarojini Nagar died of dengue after three days of treatment at Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS). This was the second case of dengue death here.

The first death due to dengue was officially reported from Bareilly on Tuesday. A 45-year-old woman was diagnosed with dengue on October 25 and was under treatment at a private medical college, where she died after a week. Her death was officially registered in the health department's database on Tuesday evening. So far, 25 cases of dengue have been reported this season, while 1650 cases of malaria, including 220 cases of malaria falciparum, have been reported so far.

According to locals, more than half a dozen people have died of dengue fever in Bareilly. However, the Health Department has objected to the number of deaths due to dengue fever. The officer admitted one death of a woman due to dengue.

Doctors said removing stagnant water in and around houses and other establishments is the best way to cut the mosquito breeding source. "Sprinkle lime over stagnant water till you can't remove it," said Dr Manish Mishra, former president, IMA Lucknow.

HOSPITALS FULL

The rising dengue cases in Lucknow, Prayagraj, Varanasi, Kanpur, Bareilly, Ayodhya and Gorakhpur regions have become a headache for the health authorities in the government as well as private hospitals as they face a shortage of beds. All major regional hospitals are running full again due to a sudden increase in dengue cases.

In Lucknow's SGPGI, KGMU, RML and civil hospital, patients and their families could be seen sitting on the floor of the wards. Doctors are also seen treating dengue patients on the floor. Many haven't got a bed, and those who have are forced to share with other patients.

There are long lines at the emergency counter to get admission, which only adds to their woes.

According to experts, the real challenge will come in November, when dengue mosquito breeding season is at its peak. According to health officials, around 200 new cases of dengue fever are reported every day these days.

Experts also predicted that cases would begin to decline after mid-November when the nighttime temperature would consistently remain below 15 degrees Celsius, as cold temperatures do not promote mosquito breeding.

Last week, the state government cancelled the leaves of doctors and paramedical staff at government hospitals in the wake of a sudden spike.